Jack Rouse Associates

Bios

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  Keith James

  Owner/Chief Executive Officer

  Due to his diverse background, considerable experience and practical approach, Keith James has become one of the themed entertainment industry’s most respected leaders. In November 2011, his distinguished career was honored at annual IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions) conference in Orlando, where he was presented with IAAPA’s 2011 Outstanding Service Award. According to IAAPA, the award “is presented in recognition of a member individual that works to foster the spirit of goodwill, professionalism, and higher levels of performance within the industry regionally, nationally, or internationally.” Keith’s entire professional career has been in themed entertainment, and his passion for the industry is evident to all those who know him. Says Keith, “I’ve been fortunate to have the chance to do something I love for over 40 years. In addition to being involved with some great projects, I’ve had the chance to meet some wonderful people along the way.” His areas of expertise include formal planning, project management, park operations, show production and general management. Graduating from the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music in 1974, Keith first teamed with Jack Rouse to found and develop Kings Productions, the entertainment production and facility design division of the Taft Broadcasting Company’s amusement park group. There he was exposed to all of the disciplines involved in designing and constructing a modern theme park. In 1979, he became Director of Planning and Development for Canada’s Wonderland, Taft’s $120 million (Canadian) theme park. He became the park’s Director of Operations in 1981, having overall responsibility for all facets of day-to-day operations. In 1983, Keith took the post of Vice President, Operations for the 1986 World’s Fair in Vancouver, where he was responsible for the initial planning and staffing. He then returned to Taft as Managing Director of Australia’s Wonderland in Sydney. In 1987, Keith returned to the United States as Vice President, Show Production at Universal Studios Florida. He was promoted in 1990 to Senior Vice President, Planning and Development, taking responsibility for the production side of the rides, shows and art departments for the state-of-the-art park. Keith concluded his involvement with Universal in August 1991 and rejoined Jack in January 1992 at Jack Rouse Associates. Since that time, Keith has managed JRA’s design and production work for such clients as The LEGO Group; Warner Bros.; Universal Studios Florida; Six Flags Theme Parks; Volkswagen’s Autostadt; Ocean Park, Hong Kong and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. Keith has also been instrumental in opening new markets in India, the Pacific Rim and Eastern Europe. Keith also takes a personal interest in the growth and direction of the industry. He has been heavily involved with the Themed Entertainment Associates (TEA) since 1993 and served as President from 2000-2002. As a member of the TEA’s Board of Directors, he helped for the European Division of the organization and has been instrumental in establishing the TEA as a leading force in the entertainment industry. Keith has served on the IAAPA Space Allocation Committee, and recently served on the organization’s Board of Directors, Manufacturers & Suppliers and Nominating Committees. This experience, along with his extensive travel and work worldwide, has given Keith a unique global perspective, which has strengthened his reputation as a true industry leader.

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  Dan Schultz

  Chief Operating Officer

  With over 35 years of operations and diversified management experience in the attractions industry, Dan Schultz perfectly complements Jack Rouse Associates’ dynamic, creative team. Dan graduated from the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Broadcasting. Prior to joining JRA, he served as Director of Production for Paramount Parks. Dan’s other past positions include Director of Entertainment at both Marineland and Paramount’s Kings Island; Director of Operations at Hanna Barbera Land and Kings Productions and Manager of Entertainment, Attractions, Guest Services and Wild Animal Habitat at Paramount’s Kings Island. Since joining JRA, Dan has served as Vice President, Operations; Executive Vice President and his current position as COO. In addition to his project consulting work, Dan provides management and support for JRA’s overall creative efforts, personnel needs and marketing strategies. He is responsible for the staff assignments and work schedules for all of JRA’s projects. His long tenure as a manager assists greatly with assignments calling for master planning, operations consultation and large-scale project management. Past projects include the MacArthur Memorial in Norfolk, Virginia; Indiana Pacers’ Conseco Fieldhouse; the “Grand View of the Yellow River,” a cultural theme park in Zhengzhou, China; Volkswagen’s Autostadt in Wolfsburg, Germany; the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn, Michigan; and the Kern County Museum in Bakersfield, California. Most recently, his projects have included the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology in Syracuse, New York; the Ferrari World Abu Dhabi theme park in the United Arab Emirates; the Calabar Theme Park in Calabar, Nigeria; the Mind Museum in Taguig, Philippines and the Crayola Experience in Easton, Pennsylvania. Known for his practicality and pragmatic approach, Dan helps JRA serve its growing list of clients in the theme park, museum and attraction markets.

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  Shawn McCoy

  Vice President, Marketing and Business Development

  As Vice President, Marketing and Business Development, Shawn McCoy is responsible for introducing clients to Jack Rouse Associates and ensuring they enjoy a smooth transition from the hiring phase to working with the company’s designers, writers and producers. Shawn also takes an active role in projects, participating from early brainstorming meetings to opening day. At the same time he plays an integral role in fostering positive working relationships between JRA and its clients. Shawn is very active in the museum community. He has written several nationally published articles concerning the museum industry and regularly speaks at conferences, seminars and other events. With his established contacts, he is instrumental in assembling outside specialists and vendors for large design projects. Shawn has undergraduate degrees in both Marketing and Finance from the University of Cincinnati. He also holds a Master’s degree in Marketing from Xavier University. Before joining JRA, Shawn was in marketing and management with Fifth Third Bank.

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  Ron Bunt

  VP, Production

  With over 25 years of diversified experience as a lighting designer, technical director and project manager, Ron Bunt brings a wealth of experience to his role as Vice President, Production. Ron effectively combines a practical business orientation with a unique theatrical flair allowing him to successfully undertake a wide variety of attraction and cultural projects. In all cases, Ron’s work is characterized by thoroughness and attention to detail. Ron graduated from the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, concentrating on lighting design for musical theater and opera. He worked as a technical director and lighting designer for organizations as diverse as the Michigan Opera Theater, Paramount’s Kings Island and Shell Oil Company. In 1980, he joined Smithall Electronics Inc. as a project manager. For the next ten years, Ron worked on projects around the world for clients including Norwegian Cruise Lines, Premier Cruise Lines, Holland America Lines, Royal Viking Lines and Commodore Cruise Lines. Ron joined Jack Rouse Associates in 1990 as resident technical director and project manager. Since then, he has played a key role in managing projects such as the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum; The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center; the National Park Service Washington Monument Interpretive Center; the Intel Theater at America’s Smithsonian; and the Heartsong Theater at Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. His recent projects include serving as project manager for the NEW World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta, Georgia and Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! in London. Ron led JRA’s project management efforts for the development of the Ferrari World Abu Dhabi theme park, which opened in late 2011, and he recently worked on Sochi Park in Sochi, Russia.